I arrived at the Westin Copley Hotel several hours early. The first clue that something unusual was afoot occurred when I stepped into the elevator. I pushed the fourth floor button to go up to the American Ballroom, and nothing happened. I pushed it again. I suddenly started to feel as if I was in an espionage movie. “The Secret Service is checking the area and they’ve blocked the elevators from going to the 3rd and 4th floors,” the concierge informed me. I waited in the lobby as Boston police came and went and a Secret Service agent perambulated quietly around the area.
My good friend, Bernard L. Jones, who was to meet me at the event, was delayed for more than an hour trying to find his way to the hotel amidst Boston traffic—and that was before they blocked off all the streets in anticipation of the President’s motorcade. (If you’ve ever driven in Boston, you’ll understand!). Bernard, a Vietnam War combat veteran has worked for many years in the Veteran Affairs Dept. and is a Democratic State delegate from Colrain, MA. (He’s also a bass player.) Bernard is a wonderful supporter of my work and made it possible for me to meet both Governor Patrick and Vice President Biden at recent political fundraisers. 
Last June, together with the kind assistance of Charlotte Golar-Richie, Executive Director of the Deval Patrick Committee, he helped to arrange a performance for the Governor, in which I played a piano duet with my student, Tanny Labshere of Riverbrook Residence. Governor Patrick was clearly touched by what he heard that afternoon, and sharing the beauty of music with him was a memorable experience.
Here is a video of Tanny and me performing the medley we played for the Governor – “We Shall Overcome” and “American the Beautiful.”
My reasons for attending last Friday's event with President Obama were to support Governor Patrick, and also because I hoped to meet the President and introduce him to the extraordinary music being created by the women whom I teach. In fact, I had recently sent a DVD of the women’s performances to First Lady Michelle Obama for consideration for her new White House Music series.
In anticipation of possibly meeting the President, I prepared a package addressed to him that contained that same DVD (you can watch the video on YouTube), a letter of introduction, and a beautiful card made by Jenn Bradley, a staff member at Riverbrook Residence. The card contained images of many of my students at Riverbrook, New England’s oldest facility for women with developmental disabilities.
Perhaps it was superstition, but for the most part I kept quiet about my upcoming trip to Boston. A few people did know. Joan Burkhard, executive director of Riverbrook—and my fabulous boss—sent me off with well wishes. Some of the staff at Riverbrook and several of my Riverbrook students were aware I was going. My best friend, Elza Maalouf was supportive as ever, having told me long before I could have imagined it, that my work would “impact millions.” My husband, Laurie, who doubles as my personal trainer and life coach, helped me focus on my goal.
A day or two prior to the event, Claire Garner, whose daughter Hope is a student (see Hope’s inspired piano performance here) asked me if she could share the news. I said, yes, and knowing that faith was very important to her, I said, please tell everyone you know to pray that I connect with the President and make this beautiful music known to him. Claire is a member of the Living God Fellowship in Great Barrington, under the direction of Pastor Lein Collins. And that’s what she, the Pastor and the congregation did. Reverend Doug Small and the wonderful folks at the Worthington Congregational Church, all of whom are enthusiastic supporters of my work, were also thinking of me.
Having arrived at the event several hours early, when they finally opened registration, I was one of the first through the metal detectors. A U.S Secret Service policeman, K-9 division, swept by and into the elevator with a huge German Shepherd. I went up to the American Ballroom, which featured two stages, one of which was for entertainment and the other, bordered by a blue barrier, for the President. I took a spot “on the rope,” as I’ve discovered they call it, and stayed put for 2.5 hours until the Governor and President arrived.
In the meantime, Bernard showed up with Wes Brown, Jr. also a bass player and instructor at University of MA/Dartmouth. Wes’ father, Wesley Brown, Sr., was the first African-American to graduate from the Naval Academy in Annapolis. In recognition, they named a new field house at the Naval Academy in honor of him. I asked Wes, Jr. if his father had met President Obama and he said yes, he was in the stands during President Obama’s inauguration.
Amazingly, despite hip replacement surgery less than two months ago, Governor Patrick strode up the steps to the podium with no discernible limp. He proceeded to speak about the challenges faced by his administration as a result of an enormous State budget shortfall, and then outlined his significant accomplishments. He is up for re-election in 2010, thus President Obama’s visit to help raise money for his campaign. Governor Patrick then introduced President Obama, his long-time friend. In and amidst my videoing and photographing (you can watch an excerpt of President Obama's speech here), I was struck by their common message: both the Governor and the President implored the audience to take responsibility for the future of this country. They emphasized the importance of public action – “it’s up to you to help create the changes we need,” they each said to the audience in their own words. I take that message, “It’s up to me,” very much to heart and it is, in fact, what compelled me to attend this event with the hope of meeting the President. Every day the people I teach are exemplifying Change, emotionally, cognitively, and creatively. Despite their disabilities, my students prove that the capacity to express beauty is a human birthright, unfettered by any limitation. When people witness their performances—-as the Governor did in June—-they hear something of disarming beauty and freedom, and invariably experience optimism. The women's music proves that optimism is, indeed warranted, and that's why I’m endeavoring to make it visible at a national level. It’s a vital message for our times--the spirit of possibility is what got Barack Obama elected almost exactly a year ago.
President Obama stepped down from the podium after his 20-minute speech and began to greet the crowd along the barrier. As he approached me, I reached down to pick up my 8 ½ x 11 packet. I was immediately thwarted by a Secret Service agent. The President was not receiving anything. President Obama reached toward me and shook my hand as he looked me in the eye. Things were happening so fast it was hard to keep up. In a second, he was further down the line, flanked by several Secret Service men and one woman, whom I watched intently for a few seconds. I admired her. She reminded me of a petite, blond version of Trinity, from the movie The Matrix. Then Governor Deval Patrick began to greet those of us at the front of the crowd. He took time and acknowledged people, many of whom were familiar supporters. He recognized me. I let go of the possibility of getting anything to the President, and simply remarked on how wonderful it was to see him so well after his surgery. He was very appreciative and kind. As he moved past us, Bernard said he wanted to give something to him. I followed. Through the throng of people, Bernard passed a card to the Governor. I tried to do the same, but my large packet was difficult to get through three rows of people straining to shake hands. However, just as Governor Patrick was nearing the end of the line, he turned, looked directly at me and said, “Do you want me to take that?” I couldn’t quite believe it. “Yes, thank you!” I answered. I was thrilled. This wonderful offer from the Governor was the best thing I could have imagined.
Inside the packet, addressed to President Obama, was a letter. It read: “We know that if the women of Riverbrook Residence perform in Washington for the nation, they will truly represent the spirit of “YES WE CAN!” As I drove slowly home in the Friday rush-hour traffic, I was imagining the President opening my packet as he left Boston on Air Force One.
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